Bathing apparatus.



lA.J.PB1TER. BATHING APPARATUS.

APPVLIGATION FILED SEPT. 9, 1910.

1,059,314,` Patented Apr. 15, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WMM moco x A. J. PETTER.

BATHING APPARATUS.

APPLIoATIoN rILnD snPT. e, 1910.

1,059,314. l Patented Apr. 15, 1913. 1

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ADOAPH J'. PETTER, OIF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

BATHING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 191e.

lOriginal application led June 12, 1909, Serial Np. 501,829. Divided and this application led September 9,

. 1910. Serial No. 581,223'.

To all whom t may concern y Be it known that I, ADOLPH J. PETTER, a citizen of the United-States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bathing Apparatus, of which `the following is a specification. y

This invent-ion relates to certain improvements in bathing apparatus designed for the treatment of diseases of the human body and the presentv application is adivision of the application filed by me in the United States Patent Office on the 112th day of June, 1909, bearing Serial Number 501,829.

The invention includes an apparatus coinprising in its make-upmeans for assing electric currents throu h the body, w ile the body is being subjected to the'rays of light, and while hot air or vapor medicated or otherwise, and-a hot or cold water spray -is being administered. This combination ot appliances in the manner about to be described, has been found especially useful and successful in the treatment `of many diseases, and the coperating arts are so constructed and arranged wit a View" to designing an apparatus `which will take up as little space as possible.

There is shown in the accompanying drawipgs, forming a part hereof, aJ suitable embodiment of the invention for the purpose of illustration, several slight modifications,

and for a more clear understanding of the invention, as illustrated by said drawings, reference is respectfully directed to the following description of the details v1n the con-y struction and arrangement of theseveral.

parts.

In the drawings, whereinflike. reference characters designate,` corresponding parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus complete. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the body portion of the apparatus with the cover or top and supporting platform or stretcher removed. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of a slightly modified form of sealing cover. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus complete. Eig.' 5 is a transverse section of the tub with two of the electrodes connected thereto. Figs. 6 and 7 are enlarged detail views of one of the electrodes and the means of connection therefor, with parts broken away. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the' body supporting platform or stretcher. Fig. 9 is a broken detail view showing a means of attaching the sealing cover to an ordinary bath tub. Fig. 10 is a broken detail view in "section of the same with an electrode attached thereto. Fig. 11 is a cross sectional detail rView of a hip or limb tub with a ceiliing cover applied. Fig. 12 is a detail view in section of a sealing closure for the drainage oenings of the apparatus.

Re erring more particularly to the drawings, l isa convenient form of frame of any desired construction and adapted to suitably support each of the parts of the apparatus about to be described. Upon the frame 1 is 'a body tub 2, which may constitute an integral structure with the frame l and may be conveniently of Wood or other insulating material, as desired. The tub is subst-an-` tially rectangular and of the shape of the ordinary bath tub havin an inclined portion 2 extending upwar ly and connecting with a peripheral flange extendin continuously around the upper edge o the tub. This flange is channeled or grooved preferably as at 3 for the reception of a removable sealing, cover or top 4 extending entirely over rthe'tub. Any suitable sealing fluid may Y be placed in the channel 3 to provide a substantially airttight chamber between the top 4 and tub 2. The cover 4 has a collapsible dome arranged intermediate `its ends and comprises oppositely disposed inclined reflector plates 5 hinged to the cover at 5a and having at their upperends coperating yopenings adapted for the receptionV of an incandescent, arc, or other electric light or lamp 6. Suitable aps 7 may extend between the sides of the closing saiddome. Byt tion of dome, it will be appreciated that an enlarged and powerful lampl may be .uti-l lized without taking up any space within either the tub or cover, and 4at the same time by reason of the incllnation of the `reiiector plates 5 for entirely e peculiar construe-r plates 5, the rays will be directed forwardly and backwardly as well as downward and thereby reach every part of the body within the tub. The upper end of the cover has a relatively small opening 8 for the reception of the neck of the patient, it being observed that the head is designed to project beyond the cover and rest upon a head support 8 which may constitute a temporary cover for a wash basin 9. The basin 9 may be an integral projection of the frame 1 and tub 2, and connect directly with the latter. A head covering 10 is adapted to fit in a suitable recess 10a in the body cover 4 and to overlap at 9b the basin 9 with the result that while the head is practically shut off from the main chamber by the partition formed by theend wall of the body cover, at the same time 'the head is also in a confined, substantially air tight space, which is 'found to have certain advantages. Again, when it is desired to examine the features of the patient, the head may be exposed by simply removing the head covering, while the other parts of the apparatus remain intact,4 A suitable inhaler 11 communicating with the outside is connected with thel head cover and may be of any desired material and of a size to envelop the nose and mouth, whereby the patient is supplied with fresh air.

j 'Extending longitudinally of the coveris an elongated pipe 12 preferablyV ata point directly beneath the lamp '6 Aand having a series of downwardly opening apertures 12a for the discharge of either hot or cold water shower, as the condition of the patient may require.

Inlet pipes 11b and 11, which may be called vhot and cold water supply pipes connect with'and deliver to the pipe, either sepajrately, or together, the said pipes, being regulated'by any suitable valve mechanism 12b -dsigned to be manually operated either by a lever 13 without the casing for the physician or operator l or by an extended lever 14 passing through the casing and slidably connected tothe latter. The lever 14 has a downwardlyprojecting operating handle 15 within leasy reach of the patient 'receiving the treatment. The sliding lever 14 projects without the casing at the upper end of the cover, and the patient may utilize the l movement of the projecting endof the lever,

asra signaling `means. to the physician, 'if

A removable platform or stretcher :is provided? as a support or rest for the patlent,

and has a means -for placing the patient withm'the tub in the correct, position, should the patients condition prevent him from assumang such position.v The platform comprises oppositelydisposed sides 16, a transverse supporting brace and foot rest 17, and connecting straps 18, which latter may be ilexible and conveniently of leather or fabric,

whereby they will swing orgive after the manner of a hammock and render the patient more comfortable. The respective terminals of the straps 18 have apertures adapted to loosely lit over engaging lugs or bolts 19 whereby they may be readily removable and new ones substituted for different'patients, thereby rendering the apparatus more sanitary. The opposite sides 16 of thestretcher are also utilized Vfor the reception of removable standards 2O fitting in sockets 21 and carrying at their respective` ends lamps 22- with any desired electrical connection, and designed to extend the rays'both above and below the body of the patient. The stretcher is preferably supfported at an inclination by hanger hooks 23 at the upper ends of the sides 16 and adjustable strap members 24 connecting with air or vapor; supplied by a conduit 27 at the lower end of the tub 2.

The cover member 4 has oner or more openings 4a in its respective sides for the 'reception of suitable electrode supports comprlsing a spring clamp 28 fitting over the flanged upper edge of the tub 2, a bracket arm 29 having a longitudinal slot 29a, and a wing nut 30 having a threaded engagement with a. bolt 3.1 carried by a suitable insulating packing 32 fitted within the channel 3. By loosening the nut 30, the arm 29 may be adjust-ed to accurately position the vertically extending electrodes 33 carried by the inner ends of said arms.

y Preferably integral with the frame 1 and tub 2 is a 'suitable' foot and hip tub 34, which may have' attached thereto in the manna'y just described, suitable electrodes, and an opening 34a communicating with the chamber 35 between the two tubs and into which the hotv air or vapor conduit 27 discharges. A cover'36 may be provided with openings 36 for the limbs of the patient. A suitable form of lstool 37 may`also be" provided as an integral extension of vlthe apparatus in orderto be within ready accessof the tient, it being borne in mind that the entire a 4paratus is designed to be moved about from ace to place, suitable rolling members 38 eing provided on the frame 1 'for the said purpose of transportation. However, the said stool 37 likewise the tub extension 34 may be dispensed with, if so desired.

Should 1t be desired to do away with the water spray or shower from the pipe 12, and the light4 treatment provided by the lamp 6 and totreat certain parts by local application while subjected `to the general treatment, the cover-4 may be removed andthat type ofcover shown in, Fig. 3' applied," the same being provided with anV opening391 patient is undergoing general treatment.,

In Figs. 9 and 10, I have shown means whereby the cover 4 without change and with'the parts carried thereby, may be applied to an ordinary bath tub, the same com'- prising oppositely disposed clamping plates and with feet 41 overlapping the usual beaded edge 41a of the tub. Bolts 42 extend between Lthe plates 40 and a slot 40a in the cover 4 to hold the latter inposition.. Supports 43 are conveniently interposed be-' tween the feet 41 of t-he clamps and the beaded edge 41? at suitable intervals, `and bracket arms 44 adjustably vsecured thereto, as by bolts 45. The arms 44 carry at their inner ends electrodes 46 which may be vertically adjustable by fitting the arm to one of a series of apertures 46'.

' The basin 9, tub 2, tub 34, and stool 37 each have lan voutlet opening 47 connecting with a common waste pipe 48 extending 1ongitudinally of the apparatus, and a suitable closure 'for said openings preferably comprising a collar 49 fitted within the opening and secured to the walls surrounding the same asfshown, and a'metal disk 50 fitting over the openin An interposed sealing gasket 51 of yie dable non-condilcting material, with an outwardly extending flange 51a is provided, and a securing thumb nut 52 carries a threaded bolt 52 engaging `Ife- I spectively the disk 50 and an integral proj ection 49.0f Vthe collar 49.

The operation of theapparatus is obvious. Ifdesired, all of the several treatments may be simultaneously utilized o n the patient, that is, the current inducing means, the^light rays, lthe shower and the hot air or Vapor feeding instrumentalities. By reason of the fact that an operatingmeans for the valve mechanism of the hot andcold water shower is withinv the chamber formed bythe tub and lcover, the patient may receive the shower at his own election, and again, since the sliding lever of sa1d operatin means projects through, the casing, the p ysician will be 'advised of the operation of the latter.

Should it be desired to examine the features without interrupting the treatment,.v it is only necessary to remove the head covering 10. Again,` should it be desired'in the treatment of certain patients to do away with the sealing coveraltogether, as well as the shower and llighttreatment carried thereby, the said cover may be removed bodily, and

on the `other-hand Ithe form ofcover disclosed in Fig. 3 may be substituted, for the pur ose described. l

aving thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured support for the patient and an overhanging .\sect1r1ng flange at the upper end to engage,

over the edge of the tub, vertical standards projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of said frame to a point above the space for the patient and carrying lights at their upper ends,`a cover for the casing;and a relatively enlarged electric light supported on .the cover substantially centrally of the latter and intermediate the aforementioned lights.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a tub, a platform therein including, a substantially 4rigid frame with a yieldable support for the patient and an overhanging securing flange at the upper end to engage over the edge of the tub, vertical standards projecting upwardly from .the o posite sides of said frame to a point above t e space for the patient `and `carr ing lights at their upper ends, a cover flir the casing, a relatively enlarged electric light supported on the cover substantially centrally of the latter and intermediate the aforementioned lights and reflectors carried by the cover adjacent said enlarged light.

3. In an apparatus of the character 4described, a tub, a platform therein including a substantially rigid frame with a yieldable support for the patient and an overhanging securing flange at the upper end to engage over the edge of the tub, vertical standards projecting upwardly from the oppositesides of said frame-to 'a point above the space for` the patient and carrying lights at their upper ends, a cover for the casing, a relatively enlarged electric light'supported on the cover substantially centrally of the latter and intermediate the aforementioned lights, reflectors carried by the cover adjacent said enlarged light, and said cover' securing flange at the upper end to` enga e over the edge of the tub, vertical standar s projecting upwardly from the opposite sides of said frame to a point above the space for 'the patient and carr ing lights at their upper] ends, a cover or the casing, a relatively enlarged eleotrio light supported on name to this specifcationin the presence of the cover substantially centraly of the lattwo subscribing Witnesses'. a ter and intermediate the a orementioned y lights, and vertically and laterally adjust- ADOLPH J. PETTER able. electrodes carried by the sides of the Witnesses:

tub.- l JNO. H. GREEN,

In testimony whereof I have signed my CHAs. HEYW00D. 

